Agricultural implement



J. Mo'RKosKl 2,407;094 AGRICULTURAL IMPLmlENT' Filed nay 15, v 4 sheets-sheet 1- .Sept- 3 1194-6 J. MoRKosKl V2,407,094

AGRICULTRAL IMPLEMENT Patented Sept. 3, 1946 AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT James Morkoski, Canton, Ill., assignor to Inter-l national Harvester Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application May 15, 1944, Serial No. 535,650

This invention relates to agricultural implements and more particularly to rear furrow wheels for plows.

In the operation of plows having rear furrow wheels, it is customary when the plow is in ground-working position that the rear furrow wheel travel in a plane inclinedfrom the vertical in order that the wheel may seat itself rmly against the furrow wall made by the plow bottom and absorb the side thrust on the plow. It is important when the plow is in this position that the furrow wheel travel in a straight line behind the plow and that it is not bepermitted to caster. O-n the other hand, when the plow is to be turned, as at the end of a field, and it is raised to transport position for that purpose, it is highly desirable that the furrow wheel be permitted to caster and follow the direction of the plow in order to prevent scraping' of the wheel over the ground and consequent injury thereto. Another desirable feature of a rear furrow wheel is that it not be permitted to caster when the plow is backed up. The importance of such a feature is readily apparent when it is considered that rearward movement is generally made for the purpose of avoiding or removing obstructions encountered in plowing or for backing the plow into a shedfor storage purposes or the like. In such case, it is, of course, important that rearward movement be effected in a straight line and that castering of the rear furrow wheel be prevented.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a rear furrow wheel that will not caster upon forward or rearward movement of the plow in operating position or upon backing up in transport position but which will caster only upon forward movement of the plow when in transport position.

Another object is to provide a rear furrow wheel that will caster only when draft is applied to move the` plow forward in transport position.

Still another object is to provide a novel lock for a rear furrow wheel which is operative to lock the wheel against castering and which is releasable to permit castering under certain conditions. p

A `further object is to provide a novel hinged lock for a rear furrow wheel for plows which is so connected to the plow hitch structure as to be released in response to draft thereupon.

A still further object is to provide a novel hinged lock for a rear furrow wheel for plows, wherein a lost-motion connection with the plow 16 Claims.

2 hitch `structure permits limited movement thereof prior to release of the lock in response to draft upon the hitch structure.

These and other objects will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a .plan view of a plow embodying the features of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the plow shown in Figure 1 in transport position;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the plow shown in Figures 1 and 2 with the plow bottoms in ground-working position;

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the plow of the present invention with parts broken away to illustrate `certain of the details of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a rear elevation of a portion of the furrow wheel supporting structure showing the hinged lock by which the furrow wheel may be prevented from castering; and

Figure 6 is a section taken on the line 6 of Figure 5.

Referring to the drawings, it will be noted that the numeral IU designates generally the frame structure of the plow of the present invention. This frame comprises a pair of laterally spaced, longitudinally extending beams II and I 2, the forward ends of which are rigidly connected by an angle brace I3. of beam I2 extends for some distance rearwardly of the end of beam I I, and these beams are further connected by a diagonally extending brace I4. The rear ends of beams I I and I2 are curved downwardly and support at the lower ends thereofplow bottoms I5.

The frame I6 is supported by a land wheel l, a furrow wheel I1, and a rear furrow wheel IB. Land wheel I6 is mounted upon a crank axle I9 having a transverse portion 20 rotatably mounted in brackets 2i and 22, afxed tothe plow frame, and a crank portion 23 supporting wheel IE. Furrow wheel I1 is mounted upon the crank portion 24 of a crank axle 25 having a transverse portion 26 rotatably mounted in the brackets 2| and 22.

To the forward ends of beams II and I2, there are respectively pivotally attached by bolts 2l and 28 laterallyspaced, downwardly extending straps 29 and 30. The lower ends of these straps are provided with bolts 3| and 32, upon which are respectively pivoted links 33 and 34. The forward ends of links 33 and `Sli are pivotally connected by bolts 35 and 35 to forwardly extending The rear end bars .31 and 38 forming part of the plow hitch structure generally indicated at 3S. While only a portion of hitch bars 31 and 38 is shown, it is understood that they are of conventional form, bar 38 extending in substantially a straight line forward and bar 37 extending diagonally across and connecting to bar 38 near its forward end. The plow .of the present invention being of the trail-behind type, hitch structure 39 may be convnected to any suitable source of draft power as, for example, a tractor, draft being exerted principally through the bar 38.

For raising and lowering the plow bottoms I to and from working position with respect to the land and furrow wheels, land wheel IB is provided with a lifting mechanism indicated at 4G, which may be of any conventional type connected by suitable linkage indicated at 4| to a lever and quadrant arrangement A2 mounted on the beam I2. While the plow bottoms may be lifted by operating the power lift mechanism 49, which causes crank axle i9 to swing vertically with respect to the plow frame, manual adjustments in Vthe operating depth of the plow bottoms may be -made by manipulation of the quadrant and lever arrangement 42. Power lift mechanism 4l) is actuated by a lever 43 connected to a trip rope 46 extending forwardly within reach of an operator mounted upon the tractor or other source of draft power. However, it is to be understood that the details of the linkage 4I, which connects the crank axle I9 to the plow frame, form n.0 part of the present invention, and for a full disclosure of the details of operation thereof, reference may be had to copending United States application, Serial No. 535,649, led May l5, 1944.

It is suiiicient to say that power is transmitted from crank axle I9 to crank axle 25, supporting furrow wheel I7, through an arm 45 affixed to the transverse portion of crank axle I9, this arm being connected by a link 46 to a lever and quadrant arrangement 41 in a manner hereinafter more fully set forth. This arrangement comprises a quadrant 68 pivoted upon the upper end of a member 49, which in turn is pivoted near its lower en d upon a bolt 5|) mounted in a bracket 5I alxed to the brace i3. Lever 52, likewise mounted upon the upper end of member 49, is curved at its lower end and has pivotally connected thereto the forward end of rearwardly extending link 45, the rear end of which is pivoted -upon the arm near its upper end. An extension 53 of the quadrant 48 is pivoted at its end upon the upper end of an arm 54 aflixed to the transverse portion 26 of crank axle 25 supporting furrow wheel I on the side of the plow opposite land wheel ISL Power for simultaneously vertically moving rear furrow wheel |8 with the movement of land and furrow wheels I5 and is likewise transmitted through a mechanism hereinafter to be described.

To the rear end of beam I2 is afiixed a bracket 55v comprising laterally spaced plates 55 and 51 attached by bolts 58 to opposlte sides of beam E2. Bracket 5v5 is provided with a rearwardly extend-- ing portion, in the end of which is journaled a shaft 59 on a rearwardly extending axis as best shown in Figure 1. This shaft extends between the plates 56 and 57, which are spaced by a sleeveV 6B surrounding the shaft and upon which is pivotally mounted for forward rocking movement a sleeve 6I having integral therewith a forwardly extending lug 62 (see Figure 3). Extending through sleeve 6| and rotatable therein is the; generally verticallyy extending portionV 63 of any axle 64 having a rearwardly bent portion 65 bent at its end to receive the rear furrow wheel I8.

The forwardly extending end of lug 62 is pivotally connected by a link 66 with an arm 67| of a bell-crank 68 pivoted upon a pin 59 extending between the upper portions of plates 56 and 5l. Another arm 70 of bell-crank 68 is provided at its upper end with a bracket 1| apertured to receive for sliding movement a forwardly extending rod l2, the forward end of which is pivotally connected to the upper end of arm 45 on crank axle I9. The rear end of rod '|2, projecting through the bracket 1I, is threaded and provided with a nut '|3 `adapted to abut the bracket Ti. Thus, movement of crank axle I9 is transmitted through arm '45, rod |2, crank 68, and link 66 to rock sleeve-E I, carrying axle 64, about the pivot point 59 to vertically move rear furrow wheel i8 with respect to the plow bottom I5 simultaneously with such vertical movement of land and furrow wheels I6 and I As has been pointed out before, it is important when the plow is in ground-working position that the rear furrow wheel I8 not be permitted to caster upon the forward or rearward movement of the plow. It is likewise important that the rear furrow wheel be prevented from castering when the plow is in transport position and is to be backed up as into a shed for storage purposes. In such case, it is desirable that the furrow wheel I8 travel in a straight line, so that the plow may be properly guided. On the other hand, when the plow is moving forward in transport position, it is desirable that the rear furrow wheel be permitted to caster so that it will properly follow bchind the plow and will not wobble or scrape over the ground when the plow is turned. The mechanism by which the rear furrow wheel I8 is releasably held against castering is designated at 'I4 and clearly illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. This mechanism includes a pin 'l5 transversely extending through an opening in the upper end of portion 63 of axle- 64. Pivoted upon this pin 15 and upon opposite sides of the portion G3 are l the depending arms of a yoke 'i8 to the upper end of which is aiiixed an upstanding cylindrical peg 11. Yoke 16 may thus be pivoted upon pin 'I5 and assume angular positions with respect thereto. When yoke 'I6 is extending vertically, peg 'il is in alinement with the axis of axle Afxed to the upper end of sleeve 6| is a split collar 18 removably secured to the sleeve by a bolt 19. Likewise secured to collar '|8, as by welding, are ears and 3| projecting from opposite sides of the collar and having upwardly extending portions apertured to receive respectively pins 82 and 83. Also pivoted upon pins 82 and 83 are the depending arms of a yoke 84 spanning axle 63 and yoke 16 and having a transverse portion 35 apertured to receive and confine peg Pins 82 and 83 are held against displacement by cotter keys 86 and are in axial alinement with pin 15.

Aixed to one of the depending arms of yoke 84, as by welding, is a lever 81 having attached to the upper end thereof an eye bolt 88 (see Figure 1). At this point, it should be evident that when yoke 16 extends vertically upwardly andv peg T7 is substantially in line with the axis of axle 63, as shown in Figs. 2, 5, and 6, axle. 63 is'freev to rotate, carrying therewith yoke'IG, peg rotating in the opening in .transverse portion 8'5 of yoke 84. However, uponY rocking movement of lever 87 and therefore of yoke 84, to a position at an angle withrespect'toaxle 63, yoke 16 is caused to assume the same angle, and axle 6311s held against rotation by peg 11 bearing against the opening in yoke 84, thus effectively locking wheel |8 against castering. This locked position is shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4.

Extending through eye bolt 88 in the upper end of lever 81 is a forwardly extending rod 89 proi Vvided at its rear end with a collar 90 adapted to abut against the eye bolt. The forward end of rod 89 is pivoted upon an arm 9|, the lower end of which is pivoted upon a bolt 92 extending through the beam |2. Likewise connected to arm .9| at a point above the pivot92 is a link 93, which longitudinal pivotal movement by a brace 91 having its rear end secured to beam and its forward end mounted upon the bolt 3|. Brace 94, provided with the slot 95, has limited longitudinal movement permitting pivoting of strap`30 about the bolt 28 and longitudinal movement of hitch bar 38. Since draft from the source of power is taken principally through hitch bar 38 -on the vland-side of the plow, the application of draft thereto causes forward movement of hitch bar 38 and brace 94 until bolt 92 abuts the rear end of slot 95as viewed in Figures 2 and 3. Thus, draft upon the hitch structure 39 is transmitted through brace 94, link 93,-arm 9|, and rod 89 to the lock mechanism 14 to pivot yoke 84 upwardly and cause peg 11 to assume a position-substantially in alinement with axle portion 63, thus permitting rotation of the axle in the sleeve B Since it is only desirable that furrow wheel I8 caster upon forward movement of the plow in transport position, locking mechanism 14 is biased to locked position, that is, an angular position of yokes 16 and 84 with respect to axle 63, by a spring 99 connected at its upper end to a lug 99 projecting from yoke 84 and at its lower end to the sleeve 6 l. Therefore, it should be clear that when forward `movemen-t of the plow is stopped by the cessation of draft thereupon, spring 98 causes hinged yoke 84 to assume an an` guiar position with respect to axle 63 and causing brace 94 to move rearwardly until bolt 92 abuts the forward end of slot 95.

Having now described the invention in its prei ltransport position.

2. In a plow, a frame, ground-working tools attached to the frame, a draft structure attached to the frame and having a hitch point, a furrow wheel upon the frame, means for locking said furrow wheel against castering when the` plow is in ground-working and transport positions, and means for releasing said locking means only upon forward movement of the plow when in transport position.

3. In a plow, a frame, ground-working tools attached to the frame, a draft structure attached to the frame and having a hitch point, a furrow wheel upon the frame, means for'lockingsaid furrow wheel against castering whenthe plow is in ground-working and transport positions, and means responsive to draft upon the draft means for releasing said locking means upon forward ymovement of the plow when in transport position.

4. In a plow, a frame, ground-working tools attached to the frame, a draft structure attached to the frame and having a hitch point, a furrow wheel upon the frame, 4means for locking said furrow wheel against castering when the plow is in ground-working and transport positions, and means connecting said draft means and said locking means and effective upon the application of draft to said draft means to release said locking means upon forward movement of the plow in transport position.

5. In a plow, a frame, ground-working tools attached to the frame, a draft structure attached tothe frame and having a hitch point, a furrow wheel upon the frame, means for locking said furrow wheel against castering when the plow is in ground-working and transport positions, and means having lost motion connecting said draft means and said locking means and effective upon the application of draft to said draft means to release said locking means.

6. In a plow, a frame, ground-working tools attached to the frame, a draft structure attached to the frame and having a hitch point, a furrow `wheel upon the frame, means for locking said furrow wheel against castering, means biasing said locking means to locking position, and means responsive to draft upon the draft means for overcoming the biasing action of said biasing means only upon forward movement of the plow when in transport position.

7. In a plow, a frame, ground-working tools attached to the frame, a draft structure attached to the frame and having a hitch point, a furrow wheel upon the frame, means for locking said furi.

tion of said biasing means.

8. In a plow, a frame, ground-working tools attached to the frame, a draft structure attached to the frame and having a hitch point, a furrow wheel upon the frame, means for locking said furrow wheel against castering, means biasing said locking means to locking position, and meansy having lost motion connecting said draft means and said locking means and effective upon the application of draft to said draft means to over` come the biasing action of said biasing means.

9. In a plow, a frame, ground-working tools attached to the frame, a draft structure attached to the frame and having a hitch point, wheels supporting the plow, a furrow wheel pivoted upon the rear of the frame, means for moving the plow to and from working position, .means for locking the furrow wheel against castering upon forward or rearward movement of the plow when in ground-working position, means for locking the furrow wheel against castering upon rearward movement thereof when in transport position, and means responsive to draft upon the draft means for releasing the furrow wheel locking means when in transport position to permit castmovement thereof.

1,0. In a plow, a frame, ground-working tools `attached to the frame, a draft structure attached ,to the frame and having a hitch point, wheels supporting the plow, a furrow wheel pivoted upon Vvthe rear of the frame, means for moving the plow `to and from working position, means for .locking thev furrow wheel against castering upon forward or rearward movement of the plow when inground-working position, means responsive to draftupon the draft means for releasing the `-furrow wheel locking means when in transport position to permit castering o-f said furrow wheel upon forward movement thereof, and means for automaticaily locking the rfurrow wheel against castering-upon rearward movement thereof when in transport position. f

1l. In a plow, a frame, ground-working tools attached to the frame, a draft ,structure attached to theframe and having a hitch point, wheels supporting the plow, a furrow vwheel pivoted upon the rearv of the frame, means for moving the plow to and from working position, means for locking the furrow wheel against castering upon forward or rearward movement of the plow when in ground-working position, means for locking the furrow wheel against castering upon rearward movement thereof when in transport position,` means responsive to draft upon the draft means for releasing the furrow wheel locking means when in transport position to permit castering of'said furrow wheel only upon forward movement thereof, and means operative in both groundeworking and transport positions for biasing the said locking means to locked position. 12. In a plow, a frame, ground-working tools attached to the frame, a support movably mounted on the frame, a furrow wheel carried by the support, means for moving said support to raise and lower the plow, said support being arranged for axial rotation to permit castering of the furrow wheel, a member pivoted upon said support and adapted for movement to positions in axial alinement with'and at an angle with respect to L.

said support, and stop means carried by the frame and engageable with said member, said stop means being effective only in an angular position of said member with respect to said suppor-t to prevent rotation thereof.

. 13. .In a plow, a frame, ground-working tools attached to the frame, a support movably mounted on the frame, a furrow wheel carried by the support, means for moving said support to raise and lower the plow, said support being arranged for` axial rotation to permit castering of the furrow wheel, a member pivoted upon said support and adapted for movement to positions in axial alinement with and at an angle with respect to said support, and stop means carried by the frame and engageable with said member, said stop means being effective only in an angular position of said member with respect to said support to prevent rotation thereof and means biasing a i; j .1; .Sii 13.51'. i2- said, member to any angular relationship with respect to said'support, v; -i

14. In a plow, a frame, ground-working tools attached to the frame, a draft structure attached .to the frame and having ahitch point, a support movably mounted-.on the frame, a furrow Wheel *carried by the support, means for moving said support to raise. and lower the plow, said support being arranged for axial rotation to permit castering of the furrow wheel, a member pivoted upon said support and adapted for movement to positions -in axial alinement withand at an angle with respect to said support, and stopmeans carried by the frame and engageable with said member, said stop means being effective only in an angular position of said member withrespect to said support toA prevent rotation thereof, means biasing said member to an angular relationship with respect to-said support, and means responsive'to draft upon the draft means for overcoming the biasing action of said biasing means.

"15; In a plow, a frame, ground-working tools attached -to the frame, a draft structure attached tothe frame and having a hitch point, a support V movably .mounted on the frame, a furrow wheel carried by the support, lmeansfor moving said support to raise and lower the plow, said support being arranged for axial rotation to permit castering of the "furrow wheel, a 'member pivoted upon said support and adapted for movement to positions in axial alinement with and at an angle with respect to vsaid support, and stop means carried by the frame and engageable with said member, said stop means being'eifective only in an angular position ofsaid member with respect to said support to prevent rotation thereof, means biasing'said member to an angular relationship with respect to said support, and means connecting said draft means and said member and effective upon the applicationof draft to said dra-ft means to overcome the biasing action of said biasing means upon forward movement of the plow when the plow is in transport position, but ineffective to overcome the biasing action when the plow-ism working position or backing up in transportiposition. -v l 16. In a plow, a frame, ground-working tools attached to the frame, a bearing sleeve movably mounted on the frame, an axle mounted for axial rotation in said sleeve, a wheel carried by the axle, a member pivoted upon the axle and movable topositions in 'axial alinement with and at an angle with respect to said axle, a part pivoted upon-the sleeve eng-ageable with said member and movable therewith, said part being effective to prevent rotation of saidfaXle in an angular position of the member with respect thereto, but ineffective to prevent rotation of the axle when the member is in axial alinement therewith, resilient means biasing said member to an angular position with respect to the axle, and means for overcoming the biasing action of said resilient means.

JAMES MoRKosKr. 

